Living on her own had certainly affected Banner’s personal hygiene. Banner herself did not seem to mind. Her cream coat was once again coated with a layer of dust and her paws were muddy. A pale pink smudge covered the pup’s throat from her last kill. No matter how often she bathed (which wasn’t very often to begin with) Banner did not seem able to stay one color. The young she wolf trotted carelessly through the open meadow, her ears up and tongue lolling. Thus far, life had taught her nothing of caution and she remained confident and fancy free. Her legs carried her quickly through the tall grass, black nose sniffing interestedly at the scents that she came across. It was not long before one such scent truly captured her attention. Despite the blood on her throat, Ban’s last kill had been two days ago. And the smell of young hares was incredibly enticing. Her hackles lifting at the prospect of a hunt, Banner stalked forward. She could see other wolves leaping around the area ahead of her as well. One darted swiftly and surely, pinning her kill. Another wolf successfully grabbed his catch, while yet another simply rolled in grass, enjoying the show. Ban turned her attention to the hares and bounded after one of the helpless creatures. Yet there was a reason Ban had not eaten in two days. The little animal quickly outpaced her and disappeared into its warren. Banner leapt after another one with similar results. The third she managed to get between her jaws, but it kicked her in the eye and made its escape. Rubbing her face against the ground to ease the sting, Banner growled in frustration. The poor girl flopped onto her stomach, mumbling and grumbling, and nursed her pride as well as her eye. b a nn e r as we walked I heard the laughter in the leaves mars 2013